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Early in the second millennium, the Assyrians established a number of merchant colonies in Anatolia. In archaeological terminology, the period of the Assyrian colonies, covering the first two centuries or so of the second millennium, is commonly known as the Middle Bronze Age. During this period, the Assyrians were very active in international trading and commercial ventures. The focal point of the merchant operations was the city of Nesa or Kanesh. This chapter looks at the kingdoms of Central Anatolia in the colony period, the incentives for Assyrian merchants to do business in Anatolia,...

Early in the second millennium, the Assyrians established a number of merchant colonies in Anatolia. In archaeological terminology, the period of the Assyrian colonies, covering the first two centuries or so of the second millennium, is commonly known as the Middle Bronze Age. During this period, the Assyrians were very active in international trading and commercial ventures. The focal point of the merchant operations was the city of Nesa or Kanesh. This chapter looks at the kingdoms of Central Anatolia in the colony period, the incentives for Assyrian merchants to do business in Anatolia, the organization of these merchant enterprises, transport and selling of merchandise, how merchants avoided taxes, and political developments in Anatolia in the colony period.